Thread: New rifle problem

Yes try new brass, using brass fired in another rifle can cause extraction issues sometimes, even when full resized.

I regularly use brass used in different rifles and haven't struck this problem but in saying that I haven't owned a rifle with a tight tolerance chamber like the Christensen rifle.

Look forward to an update as easiest fix would be new brass, @Seventy Six is right re f/l sizing not always working in these cases.

I would 100% put my money on it being a primary extraction issue.

If the brass is tight it should have a heavy bolt lift too breaking the case free, if not, it is not doing its job and anything but light loads will have this issue.

Take it back and get them to remedy.


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Originally Posted by Mauser308

Out with the vernier's - and a fired case that was sticky next to an unfired that runs in and out with no issues. Measure at the same points up each case and compare all the critical dimensions, web, neck, shoulder, lengths and see if you are getting a dimensional issue between once fired, twice fired that are sticking and brand new unfired. That will tell you if the dies aren't sizing back correctly. Also, a good inspection of the fired cases for anomalies that might indicate overpressure including case web expansion. As suggested before, book max loads may not be safe in every rifle with every combination of components so double check that the loads aren't hot and overstressing the brass...

Possible other issues, annealing the brass if it's work hardened and not springing back corrrectly? If the thing works with virgin rounds with no issues then the primary extraction while maybe not 100% is sufficient. There's an issue somewhere in the sizing - I've had this before with several rifles including Mausers with heaps of primary extraction and tighter chambers where the first firing is OK, second OK, third pop every other round out with a rod. I'd be picking brass annealing and die base sizing or similar combination of factors resulting in the dies not squeezing the cases back far enough. It's a true pain when it happens!

That doesn’t explain why the bolt lift is easy even with a stuck case.

This points directly to primary extraction not doing its job.
As you say, properly stuck cases sometimes require a rod to punch them out, this is not the case here as the extra tyre still has enough bite to extract the case, so if the camming action of opening the bolt was working then the rest would probably not be and issue as the primary extraction would budge the case sufficiently to then pull back the bolt easily.

My call would be that what you mention is perpetuating the problem but not the source.


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Originally Posted by mimms2

Was that.... your first useful post???

Welcome to the forum.

Haha You're a funny guy mimms2
Don't you remember my useful post about a week ago when I said I was diagnosing you?
Well, you will be pleased to note that I've diagnosed you with a serious case of 'attention seeking disorder'.
No really that's ok @mimms2 .... everyone's is entitled to let their disorder out sometimes, but you sir are abusing the privilege

Thanks again guys for all the useful information, there is certainly food for thought there. Won't have any info on how the new brass goes until next weekend due to his work commitments but when I hear from him I will post it here.

Spoke to the son today but the weather over in Canada was shit for testing ammo at the range so it will have to wait till next weekend , maybe. Will report back when I hear from him.

I would be making sure i annealed the brass and sized it down only 1 thou at the shoulder. And hitting the chamber with a brass brush and something to loosen up carbon. Question, you arent leaving anything on your cases after sizing are you?

Greetings Mooseman and all,
I have watched tis thread for a bit. The main problem is that the primary extraction of the rifle is defective and needs to be fixed. MSL suggested tis in post 3 and Vietnamcam explained it well in post 8. Others have reinforced the point but here we are at post 41 with other fixes being suggested, none of which is likely to fix the underlying problem. If the bolt lifts without resistance then it should open the same way.
To Mooseman and his son, send the rifle back and get it fixed. Hang on to your components until that is done. Lifting the bolt should draw it back a few millimetres and back the case out of the chamber a little. Clearly this is not happening.
Regards Grandpamac.

I am no expert but I am with Grandpamac and spudattack and others on this. Logically if the bolt lift is easy but the case is stuck, there has to be a problem with primary extraction.

If it is a primary extraction problem wouldn't it do it with all brass after firing, that is not the case with this rifle . On his first outing to the range he didn't have any issues but the next time he struck this problem but not with all the rounds he fired on the second day.
Does Primary extraction just suddenly occur or is a problem that is there from new, like in this case started off fine then went to pieces with some brass and not others.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

If it is a primary extraction problem wouldn't it do it with all brass after firing, that is not the case with this rifle . On his first outing to the range he didn't have any issues but the next time he struck this problem but not with all the rounds he fired on the second day.
Does Primary extraction just suddenly occur or is a problem that is there from new, like in this case started off fine then went to pieces with some brass and not others.

Greetings Mooseman,
It can just be a loose extractor and will vary with the pressure of the loads. For whatever reason the bolt lift is not doing its job of starting the case out of the chamber using the mechanical advantage from the bolt handle. Cases may stick as they are fired more or with higher pressure. I think you said that the loads were near max. With a tight chamber and close barrel tolerances pressure will be higher and may be borderline hot. It all adds up.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

If it is a primary extraction problem wouldn't it do it with all brass after firing, that is not the case with this rifle . On his first outing to the range he didn't have any issues but the next time he struck this problem but not with all the rounds he fired on the second day.
Does Primary extraction just suddenly occur or is a problem that is there from new, like in this case started off fine then went to pieces with some brass and not others.

It will be a contributing factor. Likely a combination of poor primary extraction, possibly dirty chamber, oversize brass/undersize chamber, hot loads. It will be at least two of those problems with the major being primary extraction

Originally Posted by T.FOYE

I would be making sure i annealed the brass and sized it down only 1 thou at the shoulder. And hitting the chamber with a brass brush and something to loosen up carbon. Question, you arent leaving anything on your cases after sizing are you?

No all cases are wiped down, he has a tumbler also so his brass is kept clean.